The single most important thing you can do as a parent, revealed

It's not fun to see your kids face challenges, but it really does turn them into stronger people

Parenting is tough, and there are a million ways to screw it up. Here's one tip that will help you do it right.

I came across this article at oprah.com, so you know this information has to be the real deal. In a nutshell, the woman who wrote the story believes that we can't prevent our kids from challenges or pain in their lives. what we need to instill in them is the belief that they can handle those challenges.The author was at a speaking engagement and talked to a parent in the audience . . .

“Can you give me three words you’d use to describe the kind of man you’re trying to raise?” She said, “Okay. I want him to be kind. I want him to be wise. And I want him to be resilient.” “Yes,” I said, “so tell me. What does a human have to confront in life in order to earn those characteristics?” The audience fell silent. The woman stared back at me. “Pain!” I said. “Struggle. It’s not about having nothing to overcome. It’s overcoming and overcoming and overcoming yet again. So is it possible that we’re trying to protect our kids from the one thing that will allow them to become the people we dream they’ll be? And is it also possible that as parents we feel like failures because we’ve been assuming the wrong roles? What if it has never been our job—or our right—to protect our children from every incoming bump and bruise? What if, instead, our obligation is to point them directly toward life’s inevitable trials and tribulations and say, ‘Honey, that challenge was made for you. It might hurt, but it will also nurture wisdom, courage, and character. I can see what you’re going through, and it’s big. But I can also see your strength, and that’s even bigger. This won’t be easy, but we can do hard things.’”

It makes so much sense!

I have to tell you-- I lived a lot of my life before becoming a parent a lot later than most people, and I really, really don't want to screw up my beautiful six-year-old boy. So I'm always ujp for wise advice about how todo this right. If you're still working at raising kiddos, you really need to read this.